Novel sulfonamides as l-cpt1 inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with novel sulfonamide derivatives of formula (I) 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , A, X, Y 1 , Y 2 , Y 3 , Y 4  and Z 1  are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit L-CPT1 and can be used as medicaments.

PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/226,697, filed Sep. 7, 2011 which in turn is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/701,769, filed Feb. 8, 2010 which, in turn, is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 11/444,765, filed Jun. 1, 2006,which claims the benefit of European Application No. 05104904.7, filedJun. 6, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to novel sulfonamide derivatives of theformula (I):

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

The invention is also directed to a process for the manufacture of theabove compounds, pharmaceutical preparations which contain suchcompounds as well as the use of these compounds for the production ofpharmaceutical preparations.

All documents cited or relied upon below are expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

High levels of free fatty acids (FFA) lead to an increase of livermitochondrial β-oxidation, which is crucial to drive efficientgluconeogenesis. The mitochondrial oxidation of long-chain FFA requiresthe intervention of two membrane-bound carnitine-dependentpalmitoyltransferases (CPTs). CPT1, the outer mitochondrial membraneenzyme, catalyzes the formation of long-chain acylcarnitines. Liver(L-CPT1) and muscle (M-CPT1) CPT1 isoforms are encoded by two differentgenes and inhibited by malonyl-CoA. The N-ter domain of L-CPT1 confersits lower sensitivity to malonyl CoA. CPT2, the inner mitochondrialmembrane enzyme, reconverts long-chain acylcarnitines into long-chainacyl CoA esters. Long-chain acyl-CoAs are then β-oxidized to acetyl-CoA,which activates the pyruvate carboxylase and gluconeogenesis. Accordingto the mechanism of action described above, pharmaceutically activesubstances which inhibit L-CPT1 reduce liver β-oxidation, consequentlyinhibit gluconeogenesis and therefore counteract hyperglycemia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, provided is a compound offormula (I):

whereinA is —C(O)OR¹ or selected from the group consisting of tetrazol-5-yl,5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl,2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl and5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl;

X is —N(R⁵)C(O)— or —C(O)N(R⁵)—; Y¹ is N or C(R⁶); Y² is N or C(R⁷); Y³is N or C(H); Y⁴ is N or C(R⁸); Z¹ is N or C(R⁹);

R¹ is hydrogen or lower-alkyl;R² is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy;R³ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl;R⁴ is aryl or heteroaryl, which aryl or heteroaryl is optionallysubstituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, cyano, lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl,lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy, lower-alkyl-C(O),lower-alkyl-C(O)—NH, lower-alkyl-C(O)—N(lower-alkyl), lower-alkyl-S(O)₂,NH₂—S(O)₂, N(H,lower-alkyl)-S(O)₂ or N(lower-alkyl)₂—S(O)₂, NH₂—C(O),N(H,lower-alkyl)-C(O), N(lower-alkyl)₂—C(O), lower-alkoxy-C(O) orheteroaryl which is optionally substituted with lower-alkyl, halogen,thio-lower-alkoxy, or fluoro-lower-alkyl,wherein lower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl) or N(lower-alkyl)₂;R⁵ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl;R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ independently from each other are selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ and lower-alkoxy;R⁹ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, provided is a processfor the manufacture of a compound of formula (I), comprising the stepsof:

reacting a compound of formula (II)

with a compound LG-S(O)₂—R⁴,wherein R², R³, R⁴, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as defined above andLG is a leaving group, orreacting a compound of formula (III)

with a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as definedabove,orreacting a compound of formula (V)

with a compound of formula (VI)

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as definedabove.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, provided is apharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound according to formula I, and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier and/or adjuvant.

In a yet another embodiment of the present invention, provided is amethod for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseaseswhich are modulated by L-CPT1 inhibitors, comprising the step ofadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound accordingto formula I to a human being or animal in need thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds which inhibit livercarnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (L-CPT1) activity. The compounds ofthe present invention can be used as pharmaceutically active agentswhich are useful in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases whichare modulated by L-CPT1 inhibitors, particularly diseases which arerelated to hyperglycemia and/or glucose tolerance disorders. Suchdiseases include e.g. diabetes and associated pathologies, non insulindependent diabetes mellitus (also referred to as diabetes type II),obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome,hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and renal failure.

Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions are set forth toillustrate and define the meaning and scope of the various terms used todescribe the invention herein.

In this specification the term “lower” is used to mean a groupconsisting of one to seven, preferably of one to four carbon atom(s).

The term “halogen” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine,with fluorine, chlorine and bromine being preferred.

The term “alkyl”, alone or in combination with other groups, refers to abranched or straight-chain monovalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbonradical of one to twenty carbon atoms, preferably one to sixteen carbonatoms, more preferably one to ten carbon atoms. Lower-alkyl groups asdescribed below also are preferred alkyl groups. Alkyl groups canoptionally be substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl),N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy. Unless specifically mentioned,unsubstituted alkyl groups are preferred.

The term “lower-alkyl”, alone or in combination with other groups,refers to a branched or straight-chain monovalent alkyl radical of oneto seven carbon atoms, preferably one to four carbon atoms. This term isfurther exemplified by such radicals as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl and the like. Lower-alkyl groupscan optionally be substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy. Unless specificallymentioned, unsubstituted lower-alkyl groups are preferred.

The term “fluoro-lower-alkyl” refers to lower-alkyl groups which aremono- or multiply substituted with fluorine. Examples offluoro-lower-alkyl groups are e.g. CFH₂, CF₂H, CF₃, CF₃CH₂, CF₃(CH₂)₂,(CF₃)₂CH and CF₂H—CF₂.

The term “amino”, alone or in combination, signifies a primary,secondary or tertiary amino group bonded via the nitrogen atom, with thesecondary amino group carrying an alkyl or cycloalkyl substituent andthe tertiary amino group carrying two similar or different alkyl orcycloalkyl substituents or the two nitrogen substitutents togetherforming a ring, such as, for example, —NH₂, methylamino, ethylamino,dimethylamino, diethylamino, methyl-ethylamino, pyrrolidin-1-yl orpiperidino etc.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a monovalent carbocyclic radical of 3 to10 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms, such as cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl.

The term “alkoxy” refers to the group R′—O—, wherein R′ is an alkyl. Theterm “lower-alkoxy” refers to the group R′—O—, wherein R′ is alower-alkyl.

The term “thio-alkoxy” refers to the group R′—S—, wherein R′ is analkyl. The term “thio-lower-alkoxy” refers to the group R′—S—, whereinR′ is a lower-alkyl.

The term “fluoro-lower-alkoxy” refers to the group R″—O—, wherein R″ isfluoro-lower-alkyl. Examples of fluoro-lower-alkoxy groups are e.g.CFH₂—O, CF₂H—O, CF₃—O, CF₃CH₂—O, CF₃(CH₂)₂—O, (CF₃)₂CH—O, andCF₂H—CF₂—O.

The term “alkylene” refers to a straight chain or branched divalentsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms,preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, more preferably up to 10 carbon atoms.Lower-alkylene groups as described below also are preferred alkylenegroups. The term “lower-alkylene” refers to a straight chain or brancheddivalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 7, preferably 1to 6 or 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Straight chain alkylene or lower-alkylenegroups are preferred.

The term “aryl”, alone or in combination, relates to the phenyl ornaphthyl group, preferably the phenyl group, which can optionally besubstituted by 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 3, substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy, lower-alkyl-C(O),lower-alkyl-C(O)—NH, lower-alkyl-C(O)—N(lower-alkyl), lower-alkyl-S(O)₂,NH₂—S(O)₂, N(H,lower-alkyl)-S(O)₂ or N(lower-alkyl)₂—S(O)₂, NH₂—C(O),N(H,lower-alkyl)-C(O), N(lower-alkyl)₂—C(O), lower-alkoxy-C(O) orheteroaryl which is optionally substituted with lower-alkyl, halogen,thio-lower-alkoxy, or fluoro-lower-alkyl, wherein lower-alkyl isoptionally substituted with hydroxy, NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl) orN(lower-alkyl)₂; Other possible substituents are e.g. hydroxy, amino,carboxy, NO₂, dioxo-lower-alkylene (forming e.g. a benzodioxyl group),lower-alkylcarbonyloxy, cycloalkyl and phenyloxy. Preferred substituentsare halogen, fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy and fluoro-lower-alkoxy.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic 5 to 6 membered monocyclicring or 9 to 10 membered bicyclic ring which can comprise 1, 2 or 3atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur, such as furyl,pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl,oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl,tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl,benzoimidazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, benzoisothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl andbenzoisoxazolyl. Preferred heteroaryl groups are thiophenyl, isoxazolyl,pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl. A heteroaryl group may have a substitutionpattern as described earlier in connection with the term “aryl”. Aheteroaryl may preferably be substituted with a heteroaryl that isoptionally substituted with 1 to 2 substituents selected from the groupconsisting of lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl and thio-lower-alkyl.

The term “leaving group” refers to a group that may be displaced by anucleophile (e.g. a secondary amine). Such leaving groups are known inthe art and can e.g. be halogen, preferably Cl.

Compounds of formula (I) can form pharmaceutically acceptable salts withbases. Examples of such salts are alkaline, earth-alkaline and ammoniumsalts such as e.g. Na-, K-, Ca- and trimethylammonium salt.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable esters” embraces derivatives ofthe compounds of formula (I), in which a carboxy group has beenconverted to an ester. Lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl,lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl, amino-lower-alkyl, mono- ordi-lower-alkyl-amino-lower-alkyl, morpholino-lower-alkyl,pyrrolidino-lower-alkyl, piperidino-lower-alkyl, piperazino-lower-alkyl,lower-alkyl-piperazino-lower-alkyl and aralkyl esters are examples ofsuitable esters. The methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and benzyl esters arepreferred esters. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable esters”furthermore embraces compounds of formula (I) in which hydroxy groupshave been converted to the corresponding esters with inorganic ororganic acids such as, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid,citric acid, formic acid, maleic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid,tartaric acid, methanesulphonic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid and thelike, which are non toxic to living organisms.

In detail, the present invention relates to compounds of formula (I)

whereinA is —C(O)OR¹ or selected from the group consisting of tetrazol-5-yl,5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl,2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl and5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl;

X is —N(R⁵)C(O)— or —C(O)N(R⁵)—; Y¹ is N or C(R⁶); Y² is N or C(R⁷); Y³is N or C(H); Y⁴ is N or C(R⁸); Z¹ is N or C(R⁹);

R¹ is hydrogen or lower-alkyl;R² is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy;R³ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl;R⁴ is aryl or heteroaryl, which aryl or heteroaryl is optionallysubstituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, cyano, lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl,lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy, lower-alkyl-C(O),lower-alkyl-C(O)—NH, lower-alkyl-C(O)—N(lower-alkyl), lower-alkyl-S(O)₂,NH₂—S(O)₂, N(H,lower-alkyl)-S(O)₂ or N(lower-alkyl)₂—S(O)₂, NH₂—C(O),N(H,lower-alkyl)-C(O), N(lower-alkyl)₂—C(O), lower-alkoxy-C(O) orheteroaryl which is optionally substituted with lower-alkyl, halogen,thio-lower-alkoxy, or fluoro-lower-alkyl,wherein lower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl) or N(lower-alkyl)₂;R⁵ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl;R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ independently from each other are selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ and lower-alkoxy;R⁹ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

Compounds of formula (I) are individually preferred and physiologicallyacceptable salts thereof are individually preferred and pharmaceuticallyacceptable esters thereof are individually preferred, with the compoundsof formula (I) being particularly preferred.

The compounds of formula (I) can have one or more asymmetric C atoms andcan therefore exist as an enantiomeric mixture, mixture of stereoisomersor as optically pure compounds.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those, wherein A is C(O)OR¹ andR¹ is as described above. These preferred compounds can be characterisedby the following formula (Ib)

wherein

X is —N(R⁵)C(O)— or —C(O)N(R⁵)—; Y¹ is N or C(R⁶); Y² is N or C(R⁷); Y³is N or C(H); Y⁴ is N or C(R⁸); Z¹ is N or C(R⁹);

R¹ is hydrogen or lower-alkyl;R² is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy;R³ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl;R⁴ is aryl or heteroaryl, which aryl or heteroaryl is optionallysubstituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, cyano, lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl,lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy, lower-alkyl-C(O),lower-alkyl-C(O)—NH, lower-alkyl-C(O)—N(lower-alkyl), lower-alkyl-S(O)₂,NH₂—S(O)₂, N(H,lower-alkyl)-S(O)₂ or N(lower-alkyl)₂—S(O)₂, NH₂—C(O),N(H,lower-alkyl)-C(O), N(lower-alkyl)₂—C(O), lower-alkoxy-C(O) orheteroaryl which is optionally substituted with lower-alkyl, halogen,thio-lower-alkoxy, or fluoro-lower-alkyl,wherein lower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl) or N(lower-alkyl)₂;R⁵ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl;R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ independently from each other are selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ and lower-alkoxy;R⁹ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy;and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

When reference to compounds of formula (I) is made in this text, thisincludes a reference to formula (Ia) and (Ib).

Preferred compounds of formula (I) as described above are those, whereinR¹ is hydrogen. Other preferred compounds are those, wherein R² ishydrogen, halogen or lower-alkoxy, more preferably wherein R² ishydrogen. Other preferred compounds of formula (I) as described aboveare those, wherein R³ is hydrogen.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention refers tocompounds of formula (I) as described above, wherein R⁴ is phenyl whichis optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of halogen, fluoro-lower-alkyl,lower-alkoxy and fluoro-lower-alkoxy, or R⁴ is thiophenyl which issubstituted with a heteroaryl selected from the group consisting ofisoxazolyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl, which heteroaryl is optionallysubstituted with 1 to 2 substituents selected from the group consistingof lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl and thio-lower-alkoxy, or R⁴ isnaphthalinyl. Compounds as described above, wherein R⁴ is phenyl whichis substituted with 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen and lower-alkoxy are more preferred. Evenmore preferably, R⁴ is 3-chloro-phenyl, 3,4-dichloro-phenyl,3,5-dichloro-phenyl or 5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is related tocompounds of formula (I) as described above, wherein X is —C(O)N(R⁵)—and R⁵ is as defined above. Such compounds are characterised by formula(Ia)

In such compounds, R⁵ preferably is hydrogen.

Other preferred compounds of formula (I) of the present invention arethose, wherein Y¹ is C(R⁶) and R⁶ is as defined above. Preferably, R⁶ ishydrogen, halogen or lower-alkoxy, more preferably R⁶ is hydrogen,chlorine or methoxy. Other preferred compounds of the present inventionare those, wherein Y² is C(R⁷) and R⁷ is as defined above. Preferably,R⁷ is hydrogen or lower alkoxy, more preferably R⁷ is hydrogen ormethoxy.

Furthermore, those compounds of formula (I) as described above arepreferred, wherein Y³ is C(H). Other preferred compounds of formula (I)are those, wherein Y⁴ is C(R⁸) and R⁸ is as defined above, particularlythose wherein R⁸ is hydrogen. Compounds of formula (I) as describedabove, wherein Z¹ is N or C(R⁹) and R⁹ is hydrogen, halogen orlower-alkoxy, are also preferred, especially those, wherein Z¹ is C(R⁹)and R⁹ is hydrogen.

In particular, preferred compounds are the compounds of formula (I)described in the examples as individual compounds as well aspharmaceutically acceptable salts as well as pharmaceutically acceptableesters thereof.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those selected from the groupconsisting of:

-   4-(3-Benzenesulfonylamino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(Naphthalene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(2-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(2-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3-Trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-[5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-{3-[5-(2-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoic    acid,-   2-Methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3,4-Dimethoxy-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(2,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-fluoro-benzoic    acid, and-   5-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-pyridine-2-carboxylic    acid,    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I) are those selected fromthe group consisting of:

-   4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,-   4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[4-Chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,-   4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid, and-   4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic    acid,    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

Other preferred compounds of formula (I) are those selected from thegroup consisting of:

-   3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,-   3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,-   3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,-   3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,-   3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

It will be appreciated that the compounds of general formula (I) in thisinvention may be derivatised at functional groups to provide derivativeswhich are capable of conversion back to the parent compound in vivo.

The invention further relates to a process for the manufacture ofcompounds of formula (I) as defined above, which process comprises

reacting a compound of formula (II)

with a compound LG-S(O)₂—R⁴,wherein R², R³, R⁴, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as defined above andLG is a leaving group (such as e.g. halogen, preferably Cl),orreacting a compound of formula (III)

with a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as definedabove,orreacting a compound of formula (V)

with a compound of formula (VI)

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as definedabove.

The reaction of a compound of formula (II) with a compound LG-S(O)₂—R⁴can be carried out under conditions well known to the person skilled inthe art. Such reactions of a compound of formula (II) can convenientlybe carried out for example by mixing a compound of formula (II) with acompound LG-S(O)₂—R⁴ in dichloromethane at room temperature in thepresence of a base, as for example pyridine. Alternative, reactions of acompound of formula (II) can be carried out by heating the latter with acompound LG-S(O)₂—R⁴ in toluene at the reflux temperature, optionally inthe presence of a base, as for example triethylamine. Appropriateleaving group can for example be chlorine.

The reaction of a compound of formula (III) with a compound of formula(IV) can be carried out under conditions well known to the personskilled in the art. Such reactions of a compound of formula (II) canconveniently be carried out for example by mixing a compound of formula(III) with a compound of formula (IV) in dimethylformamide in thepresence of a base, like for example diisopropylethylamine, and acondensing agent. Appropriate condensing agents can be for exampleO-(7-benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium-tetrafluoroborate(TBTU),O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium-hexafluorophophat(HATU) or others well known to the person skilled in the art.

The reaction of a compound of formula (V) with a compound of formula(VI) can be carried out under conditions well known to the personskilled in the art. Such reactions of a compound of formula (II) canconveniently be carried out for example by mixing a compound of formula(V) with a compound of formula (VI) in dimethylformamide in the presenceof a base, like for example diisopropylethylamine, and a condensingagent. Appropriate condensing agents can be for example TBTU, HATU orothers well known to the person skilled in the art.

The present invention also relates to compounds of formula (I) asdefined above, when prepared by a process as described above.

The compounds of formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V) and (VI) can beprepared by methods known in the art or as described below. Unlessotherwise indicated, the substituents R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, X, m and n areas described above.

The following schemes 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the methods of preparationof the compounds of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified,all starting products and intermediates are commercially available orcan be prepared by methods known in the art or by analogous methods.

Compounds of general formula 6 can be prepared by hydrolysis of thecorresponding esters 5. These are accessed by the reaction of a generic4-(3-amino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester 4 with a sulfonylchloride, according to known methods. 4-(3-Amino-benzoylamino)-benzoicacid ethyl esters 4 can be generated by reduction of the correspondingnitro compounds 3, which are generated by the reaction of the3-nitro-benzoyl chlorides 1 with a generic 4-amino-benzoic acid ethylester 2.

Alternatively, esters of general formula 5 can be generated by reactionof 3-benzenesulfonylamino-benzoic acids 9 with a generic 4-amino-benzoicacid ethyl ester 2. 3-Benzenesulfonylamino-benzoic acids 9 are accessedby hydrolysis of the corresponding esters 8, produced by reaction of3-amino-benzoic acid ethyl esters 7 with a sulfonyl chloride in thepresence of pyridine.

Compounds of general formula 12, wherein A is selected from the groupconsisting of 1H-tetrazol-2-yl, 4H-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl-5-one,4H-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl-5-thione or3H-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl-2-oxide, can be prepared starting fromcompounds of general formula 10, which can be prepared in analogy to theschemes 1 and 2 above. Compounds of general formula 10 can be reactedwith an azide source, like for example ammonium azide or tin azide, attemperatures between 20° C. and 200° C. to generate compounds of formula12 where A is 1H-tetrazol-2-yl. Compounds of general formula 10 can beconverted by reaction with hydroxylamine to the correspondinghydroxyamidines of general formula II, which can then be reacted withchloroformic acid derivatives to generate compounds of general formula12 where A is -[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl-5-one. Reaction of compounds ofgeneral formula II with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole under basicconditions generates compounds of general formula 12 where A is4H-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl-5-thione. Alternative, reaction of compounds ofgeneral formula II with thionyl chloride generates compounds of generalformula 12 where A is 3H-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl-2-oxide.

Compounds of formula (I) can form salts with physiologically compatiblebases. Examples of such salts are alkaline, earth-alkaline and ammoniumsalts such as e.g. Na-, K-, Ca- and trimethylammonium salt. One methodto form such a salt is e.g. by addition of 1/n equivalents of a basicsalt such as e.g. M(OH)_(n), wherein M=metal or ammonium cation andn=number of hydroxide anions, to a solution of the compound in asuitable solvent (e.g. ethanol, ethanol-water mixture,tetrahydrofurane-water mixture) and to remove the solvent by evaporationor lyophilisation.

The conversion of compounds of formula (I) into pharmaceuticallyacceptable esters can be carried out e.g. by treatment of a suitablecarboxy group present in the molecule with a suitable alcohol using e.g.a condensating reagent such asbenzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate(BOP), N,N-dicylohexylcarbodiimide (DCC),N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCI) orO-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-N,N,N,N-tetra-methyluronium-tetrafluorborate(TPTU). Pharmaceutically acceptable esters can furthermore be preparedby treatment of a suitable hydroxy group present in the molecule with asuitable acid, optionally or if necessary in the presence of acondensating agent as described above.

Insofar as their preparation is not described in the examples, thecompounds of formula (I) as well as all intermediate products can beprepared according to analogous methods or according to the methods setforth above. Starting materials are commercially available, known in theart or can be prepared by methods known in the art or in analogythereto.

As described above, the novel compounds of the present invention havebeen found to inhibit liver carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (L-CPT1)activity. The compounds of the present invention can therefore be usedin the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which are modulated byL-CPT1 inhibitors, particularly diseases which are related tohyperglycemia and/or glucose tolerance disorders. Such diseases includee.g. diabetes and associated pathologies, non insulin dependent diabetesmellitus, obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolicsyndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and renal failure.

The invention therefore also relates to pharmaceutical compositionscomprising a compound as defined above and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and/or adjuvant.

The invention likewise embraces compounds as described above for use astherapeutically active substances, especially as therapeutically activesubstances for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which aremodulated by L-CPT1 inhibitors, particularly as therapeutically activesubstances for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of hyperglycemia,glucose tolerance disorders, diabetes and associated pathologies, noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, insulinresistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia,hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, congestiveheart failure and renal failure.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method forthe therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which aremodulated by L-CPT1 inhibitors, particularly for the therapeutic and/orprophylactic treatment of hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance disorders,diabetes and associated pathologies, non insulin dependent diabetesmellitus, obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolicsyndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and renal failure, whichmethod comprises administering a compound as defined above to a humanbeing or animal.

The invention also embraces the use of compounds as defined above forthe therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which aremodulated by L-CPT1 inhibitors, particularly for the therapeutic and/orprophylactic treatment of hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance disorders,diabetes and associated pathologies, non insulin dependent diabetesmellitus, obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolicsyndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and renal failure.

The invention also relates to the use of compounds as described abovefor the preparation of medicaments for the therapeutic and/orprophylactic treatment of diseases which are modulated by L-CPT1inhibitors, particularly for the therapeutic and/or prophylactictreatment of hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance disorders, diabetes andassociated pathologies, non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus,obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolic syndrome,hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure and renal failure. Suchmedicaments comprise a compound as described above.

Prevention and/or treatment of hyperglycemia and non insulin dependentdiabetes mellitus is the preferred indication.

The following tests were carried out in order to determine the activityof the compounds of the present invention. Background information on theperformed assays can be found in: Jackson et al., 1999, Biochem. J. 341,483-489 and Jackson et al., 2000, J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19560-19566.

Human liver and muscle CPT1 cDNAs and rat CPT2 cDNA were subcloned inpGAPZB or pGAPZA, respectively. These plasmids were used to transform P.pastoris strain X-33 via electroporation after the preparation ofelectrocompetent cells. High copy number clones were selected wherenecessary using 0.5 or 1 mg/ml Zeocin. Cultures for activitymeasurements were induced for 16 h in YPD medium (1% yeast extract, 2%peptone, 2% glucose). Crude cell extracts were prepared by disruptingthe cells with glass beads or French Press, depending on fermentersizes. After centrifugation, the cell-free extracts were resuspended incell breaking buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 100 mM KCl, 1 mM EDTA) in thepresence of a protease inhibitor cocktail, before aliquoting andfreezing at −20° C.

CPT activity was measured using a spectrophotometric assay using5,5′-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) also called Ellman'sreagent. The HS-CoA released on the formation of acylcarnitine fromcarnitine (500 μM) and palmitoyl-CoA (80 μM) reduced DTNB (300 μM)forming 5-mercapto-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) witch absorbed at 410 nm with amolar coefficient extinction of 13600 M⁻¹·cm⁻¹. The assay buffercontained 120 mM KCl, 25 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 1 mM EDTA. This assay was usedfor the identification of selective inhibitors of the liver CPT1 isoformversus the muscle CPT1 and CPT2 isoforms.

The compounds according to formula (I) preferably have an IC50 valuebelow 10 μM, preferably 10 nM to 10 μM, more preferably 10 nM to 5 μM.The following table shows data for some examples.

L-CPT1 inhibition Example IC₅₀ [μmol/l] 5 0.1922 21 0.1526 32 0.8805

A method of screening for a compound which modulates CPT1 activity isalso provided, comprising providing cell-free extracts from cellsexpressing CPT1, contacting said compound with CPT1 in said extract, andmeasuring the release of HS-CoA by CPT1 in the presence of carnitine,palmitoyl-CoA and a reagent which produces a detectable signal in thepresence of thiols.

Such a reagent can either be a reagent which produces fluorescence inthe presence of thiols. Such a reagent can be selected from the groupconsisting of monobromobimane (mBrB), ammonium7-fluorobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulfonate (SBD-F), ammonium7-fluorobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulfonamide (ABD-F), fluoresceinisothiocyanate, bromomethylfluorescein,4-aminosulfonyl-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (ABD-F),fluorescein-5-maleimide, and 6-iodoacetamidofluorescein. Such a reagentcan also be a reagent which produces a chromophore in the presence ofthiols. Such a reagent can be selected from the group consisting of4,4′-dipyrdyl disulfide (4-PDS), 2,2′-dipyrdyl disulfide (2-DPS),2-chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide (CMPI), 2-chloro-1-methylquinoliniumtetrafluoroborate (CQMT), DTNB, 5-(2-aminoethyl)dithio-2-nitrobenzoate(ADNB), 2,2′ or 4,4′-dithiodipyridine (DTDP).

Preferably, said reagent is DTNB which can be quantitated by measuringthe formation of 5-mercapto-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) which absorbs at 410nm.

Preferably, said CPT1 is mammalian, more preferably rat, sheep or human,most preferably liver muscle or brain.

In a preferred embodiment, said cells expressing CPT1 are yeast cells,more preferably P. pastoris or S. cerevisiae cells.

Preferably, said quantitation of 5-mercapto-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) isperformed with a spectrophotometer.

The compounds of formula I and/or their pharmaceutically acceptablesalts can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceuticalpreparations for enteral, parenteral or topical administration. They canbe administered, for example, perorally, e.g. in the form of tablets,coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions,emulsions or suspensions, rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories,parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions or suspensions orinfusion solutions, or topically, e.g. in the form of ointments, creamsor oils. Oral administration is preferred.

The production of the pharmaceutical preparations can be effected in amanner which will be familiar to any person skilled in the art bybringing the described compounds of formula I and/or theirpharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally in combination with othertherapeutically valuable substances, into a galenical administrationform together with suitable, non-toxic, inert, therapeuticallycompatible solid or liquid carrier materials and, if desired, usualpharmaceutical adjuvants.

Suitable carrier materials are not only inorganic carrier materials, butalso organic carrier materials. Thus, for example, lactose, corn starchor derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts can be used ascarrier materials for tablets, coated tablets, dragées and hard gelatinecapsules. Suitable carrier materials for soft gelatine capsules are, forexample, vegetable oils, waxes, fats and semi-solid and liquid polyols(depending on the nature of the active ingredient no carriers might,however, be required in the case of soft gelatine capsules). Suitablecarrier materials for the production of solutions and syrups are, forexample, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar and the like. Suitablecarrier materials for injection solutions are, for example, water,alcohols, polyols, glycerol and vegetable oils. Suitable carriermaterials for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils,waxes, fats and semi-liquid or liquid polyols. Suitable carriermaterials for topical preparations are glycerides, semi-synthetic andsynthetic glycerides, hydrogenated oils, liquid waxes, liquid paraffins,liquid fatty alcohols, sterols, polyethylene glycols and cellulosederivatives.

Usual stabilizers, preservatives, wetting and emulsifying agents,consistency-improving agents, flavour-improving agents, salts forvarying the osmotic pressure, buffer substances, solubilizers, colorantsand masking agents and antioxidants come into consideration aspharmaceutical adjuvants.

The dosage of the compounds of formula I can vary within wide limitsdepending on the disease to be controlled, the age and the individualcondition of the patient and the mode of administration, and will, ofcourse, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particularcase. For adult patients a daily dosage of about 1 to 2000 mg,especially about 1 to 500 mg, comes into consideration. Depending onseverity of the disease and the precise pharmacokinetic profile thecompound could be administered with one or several daily dosage units,e.g. in 1 to 3 dosage units.

The pharmaceutical preparations conveniently contain about 1-500 mg,preferably 1-200 mg, of a compound of formula I.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the present invention in moredetail. They are, however, not intended to limit its scope in anymanner.

EXAMPLES Example 1 4-(3-Benzenesulfonylamino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid

4-(3-Benzenesulfonylamino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid was prepared asillustrated in scheme 1:

Step A)

A solution of 4-amino benzoic acid ethyl ester (1.95 g, 11.8 mmol) indry dichloromethane (20.0 ml) was treated with triethylamine (1.31 g,13.0 mmol) and cooled to 0° C. 3-Nitrobenzoyl chloride (2.00 g, 10.8mmol) was added portion wise over 5 min. The mixture was stirred at 0°C. for 5 min, then at room temperature for 10 min. The reaction wasquenched by addition of 20 ml of saturated NaHCO₃. The organic phase wasseparated and filtered washing with dichloromethane. Drying of the solidunder high vacuum yielded 4-(3-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethylester as a white solid (2.52 g, 74%), MS (ISP): m/e=315.1 (M+H⁺).

Step B)

A solution of 4-(3-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester (0.50 g,1.59 mmol) in THF (5.0 ml) was treated with tin metal (0.38 g, 3.18mmol) and 6N HCl (2.5 ml). The mixture was warmed to 50° C. and stirredfor 30 min. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent wasevaporated, and the residue treated with 10% aqueous NaOH (10.0 ml). Theresulting suspension was filtered, washing with water. The solid wasdissolved in THF and treated with Na₂SO₄. After filtration, the filtratewas evaporated to yield 4-(3-amino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethylester (0.36 g, 80%) as a light yellow solid, MS (ISP): m/e=285.3 (M+H⁺).

Step C)

A solution of 4-(3-amino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester (50.0mg, 0.18 mmol) in pyridine (0.40 ml) was treated with a solution ofbenzensulfonyl chloride (31.0 mg, 0.18 mmol) in pyridine (0.10 ml). Themixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent wasevaporated, yielding crude4-(3-benzenesulfonylamino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester, MS(ISP): m/e=425.1 (M+H⁺), which was used as such in the next step.

Step D)

A solution of crude 4-(3-benzenesulfonylamino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acidethyl ester (75.0 mg, 0.18 mmol) in methanol (0.30 ml) was treated witha 2.55 M solution of KOH in water (0.21 ml). The mixture was stirred at55° C. for 40 min, then acidified with 2N HCl (0.40 ml) to pH ˜1. Themixture was diluted with 1-methylpyrrolidinone (2.00 ml) and purified bypreparative HPLC (ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18, 21.2×50 mm, 5 μm, gradientacetonitrile/water+0.1% formic acid). The title compound (14.4 mg, 21%)was obtained as an off-white solid, MS (ISP): m/e=394.9 (M−H).

Example 2 4-[3-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester

4-[3-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid ethylester, MS (ISP): m/e=425.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 4-methoxy-benzensulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(4-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid ethylester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 3 4-[3-(3-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=413.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 3-fluoro-benzensulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 4 4-[3-(Naphthalene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[3-(Naphthalene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS (ISP):m/e=445.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A to D.Step C was performed using naphthalene-2-sulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(naphthalene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid ethylester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 5 4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=462.9 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 6 4-[3-(2-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(2-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=425.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 2-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 7 4-[3-(3-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=425.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 3-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(3-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 8 4-[3-(2-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(2-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=413.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 2-fluoro-benzensulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(2-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 9 4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=429.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 3-chloro-benzensulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 104-[3-(3-Trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[3-(3-Trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=463.3 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 114-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=463.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1, steps A toD. Step C was performed using 3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonyl chloride andyielded 4-[3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 124-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=459.0 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 134-[3-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[3-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=461.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 144-[3-(5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=468.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(5-isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 154-{3-[5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoicacid

4-{3-[5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=525.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-(2-methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride andyielded4-[3-[5-(2-methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 164-{3-[5-(2-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoicacid

4-{3-[5-(2-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=549.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylchloride and yielded4-{3-[5-(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 172-Methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

2-Methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=493.3 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step A was performed using 4-amino-2-methoxy-benzoic acidethyl ester and yielded 2-methoxy-4-(3-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acidethyl ester. This was reduced to4-(3-amino-benzoylamino)-2-methoxy-benzoic acid ethyl ester in step B.This was coupled with 3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonyl chloride in stepC, yielding2-methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 184-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=493.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 17,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 194-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=495.2 (M+H⁺), was prepared in analogy to example 17,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 204-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=459.3 (M+H⁺), was prepared in analogy to example 17,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3-chloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 214-[4-Chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=463.1 (M+H⁺), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step A was performed using 4-chloro-3-nitro-benzoylchloride and yielded 4-(4-chloro-3-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acidethyl ester. This was reduced to4-(4-Chloro-3-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester in step B.This was coupled with 3-chloro-benzenesulfonyl chloride in step C,yielding4-[4-chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 224-[4-Chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=499.0 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 234-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=497.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 244-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=513.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using3-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 254-[4-Chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=493.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 264-[4-Chloro-3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=499.0 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 27 4-[4-Chloro-3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=429.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21, steps Ato D. Step C was performed using benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid ethylester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 284-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=497.0 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 294-[4-Chloro-3-(3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=447.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 304-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=489.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 21,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[4-chloro-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 314-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=489.2 (M+H⁺), was prepared in analogy to example 1,steps A to D. Step A was performed using 3,4-dimethoxy-5-nitro-benzoylchloride and yielded 4-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acidethyl ester. This was reduced to4-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-nitro-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester in stepB. This was coupled with 3-chloro-benzenesulfonyl chloride in step C,yielding4-[3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 324-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=523.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 31,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 334-[3,4-Dimethoxy-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3,4-Dimethoxy-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=523.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 31,steps A to D. Step C was performed using3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3,4-dimethoxy-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 344-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=519.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 31,steps A to D. Step C was performed using5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D

Example 354-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=523.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 31,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 364-[3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid

4-[3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid, MS(ISP): m/e=455.2 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 31, steps Ato D. Step C was performed using benzenesulfonyl chloride and yielded4-[3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoic acidethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 374-[3-(2,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid

4-[3-(2,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=523.1 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 31,steps A to D. Step C was performed using 2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylchloride and yielded4-[3-(2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid ethyl ester, which was hydrolyzed in step D.

Example 384-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-fluoro-benzoic acid

4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-fluoro-benzoic acidwas prepared as illustrated in scheme 2:

Step A)

A solution of 3-chloro-benzenesulfonyl chloride (2.68 g, 13.0 mmol) intoluene (10.0 ml) was warmed to 100° C. and treated with a solution of3-amino-benzoic acid ethyl ester (2.00 g, 12.0 mmol) in toluene (10.0ml). The mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 1 h, then cooled to 0° C.for 1 h. The precipitated solid was filtered, washing with toluene.Drying of the solid under high vacuum yielded3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester (4.03 g, 98%)as an off-white solid, which was used crude in the following reaction.

Step B)

A solution of 3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester(4.03 g, 12.0 mmol) in ethanol (20.0 ml) was treated with 3N KOH (12.0ml) and stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was thenacidified with 3N HCl and the resulting slurry cooled to 0° C. Theprecipitated solid was filtered, washing with ethanol and dried undervacuum, yielding 3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoic acid (2.61 g,70%) as an off-white solid, MS (ISP): m/e=310.0 (M−H).

Step C)

A solution of 3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoic acid (31.1 mg,0.10 mmol) in DMF (0.5 ml) was added to 4-amino-2-fluoro-benzoic acidethyl ester (20.1 mg, 0.11 mmol). Diisopropyl-ethyl-amine (0.035 ml) wasadded, followed by a solution of HATU (57.0 mg, 0.15 mmol) in DMF (0.5ml). The mixture was shaken at room temperature overnight, then dilutedwith ethyl acetate (4.0 ml) and water (2.0 ml). The organic phase wasseparated and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in ethanol (0.60 ml)and treated with 3N KOH (0.40 ml). The mixture was shaken at roomtemperature overnight, then acidified to pH 2 with 3N HCl. Purificationby preparative HPLC (ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18, 21.2×50 mm, 5 μm, gradientacetonitrile/water+0.1% formic acid) yielded the title compound (7.0 mg,15%) as a white solid, MS (ISP): m/e=447.0 (M−H).

4-Amino-2-fluoro-benzoic acid ethyl ester was synthesized as illustratedin the following scheme:

Step A)

A solution of 2-fluoro-4-nitro-benzoic acid (1.0 g, 5.0 mmol) in ethanol(10.0 ml) was treated with concentrated sulfuric acid (0.30 ml) andstirred at reflux overnight. On cooling to room temperature and then to0° C. a crystalline precipitate formed. This was filtered washing withethanol/water 2:1, and dried under vacuum, yielding2-fluoro-4-nitro-benzoic acid ethyl ester (0.75 g, 65%) as an off-whitecrystalline solid.

Step B)

A solution of 2-fluoro-4-nitro-benzoic acid ethyl ester (0.72 g, 3.40mmol) in THF (11.0 ml) was treated with tin metal (0.81 g, 6.80 mmol)and 6N HCl (5.43 ml). The mixture was warmed to 50° C. and stirred for30 min. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was evaporated.The residue was cooled to 0° C. and treated with 10% NaOH (20.0 ml). Theresulting suspension was filtered and the solid washed with water. Thesolid was then redissolved in THF and filtered through a membrane toeliminate traces of metal. The filtrate was evaporated and the residuetriturated in diisopropyl ether to afford after filtration4-amino-2-fluoro-benzoic acid ethyl ester (0.55 g, 89%) as a lightyellow solid, MS (ISP): m/e=184.1 (M+H⁺).

Example 395-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-pyridine-2-carboxylicacid

5-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-pyridine-2-carboxylicacid, MS (ISP): m/e=430.3 (M−H), was prepared in analogy to example 38,steps A to C. Step C was performed using 5-amino-pyridine-2-carboxylicacid ethyl ester.

5-Amino-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester was synthesized asillustrated in the following scheme:

Step A)

A solution of 5-amino-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (1.0 g, 5.9 mmol) inethanol (15.0 ml) was treated with concentrated sulfuric acid (0.30 ml)and stirred at reflux overnight. The mixture was cooled to 0° C. andtreated with 1M Na₂CO₃ until pH 8 was reached (4.0 ml). A precipitateformed, which was filtered washing with ethanol/water 2:1, and driedunder vacuum, yielding 5-amino-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester(1.03 g, 89%) as a white solid, MS (EI): m/e=196.0 (M⁺).

Step B)

A solution of 5-amino-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1.0 g, 5.0mmol) in ethanol (150.0 ml) was flushed with argon, then treated withpalladium 10% on carbon (0.13 g). The flask was evacuated and flushedwith hydrogen. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h, thenfiltered and the filtrate evaporated. 5-Amino-pyridine-2-carboxylic acidethyl ester (0.76 g, 91%) was obtained as a white powder, MS (ISP):m/e=167.4 (M+H⁺).

Example 403-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide

3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamidewas prepared as illustrated in scheme 3.

A microwave vial was charged with a solution of3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-(4-cyano-phenyl)-benzamide (0.46 g,1.12 mmol) in dimethylformamide (20.0 ml), ammonium chloride (1.11 g, 21mmol, 18.5 equiv.) and sodium azide (1.31 g, 20 mmol, 18 equiv.) andirradiated in a microwave oven at 155° C. for 75 min. The mixture wasdiluted with saturated sodium hydrogenocarbonate and the phases wereseparated. The aqueous phase was washed with ethyl acetate and theorganic phases were discarded. The aqueous phase was acidified with HCl(1N) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases weredried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo.The crude compound was triturated in dichloromethane and the white solidwas filtered and dried under high vacuum. The title compound, MS (ISP):m/e=453.3 (M−H) was obtained as a white solid, 0.40 g (80%).

3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-(4-cyano-phenyl)-benzamide wasobtained in analogy to example 1, using 4-amino-benzonitrile instead of4-amino benzoic acid ethyl ester in step 1.

Example 413-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide

3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,MS (ISP): m/e=483.0 (M−H), was obtained as described in example 40,using3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-(4-cyano-phenyl)-benzamideas starting material.

3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-(4-cyano-phenyl)-benzamidewas obtained in analogy to example 1, using 4-amino-benzonitrile insteadof 4-amino benzoic acid ethyl ester in step 1.

Example 423-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide

3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamidewas obtained as illustrated in scheme 3.

Step A)

Hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.24 mg, 3 mmol) was suspended in dimethylsulfoxide under an argon atmosphere. Triethylamine (0.34 g, 3 mmol) wasadded dropwise. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minthen filtered, washing with dry tetrahydrofuran. The filtrate wasconcentrated under vacuum. The resulting solution in dimethyl sulfoxidewas treated with3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-(4-cyano-phenyl)-benzamide(0.30 g, 0.68 mmol) and the mixture was warmed to 75° C. and stirred for2 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature then diluted withwater and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was extractedwith HCl 0.5 N. The heterogeneous aqueous solution was adjusted to pH9-10 with NaOH 0.5N, then extracted with ethyl acetate. The combinedorganic phases were dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to yield3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-benzamideas a light green solid, MS (ISP): m/e=473.2 (M−H), which was used assuch in the following reaction (0.23 g, 73%)

Step B)

3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-benzamide(110 mg, 0.23 mmol) was diluted in acetonitrile (2 ml) under argon.1,1′-Thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI) (68 mg, 0.38 mmol, 1.65 equiv.) wasthen added, followed by 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) (114 mg,3.95 equiv.). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours,then the solvents were evaporated. The residue was diluted with waterand the pH was adjusted to 4 with HCl 1N. The aqueous phase wasextracted with ethyl acetate, and the organic phase evaporated. Theresidue was dissolved in NaOH 1N, and washed with ether. The aqueoussolution was adjusted to pH 4 with HCl 1N and then extracted with ethylacetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated.Purification via flash chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol) yieldedthe title compound as a light yellow solid (24 mg, 20%), MS (ISP):m/e=515.1 (M−H).

Example 433-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide

A solution of3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-benzamide(110 mg, 0.23 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (7.0 ml) under argon was treatedwith pyridine (37 mg, 2 equiv.) and cooled to 0° C. A solution ofthionyl chloride (28 mg, 1.01 equiv.) in dichloromethane (1.0 ml) wasthen added dropwise in 6 min. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 20min and then at room temperature for 45 min. The solvent was evaporatedand the residue diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. Theorganic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. Purificationvia preparative HPLC (Column: ZORBAX ECLIPSE XDB-C18, 21.2×50 mm, 5 um,PN 970050-902, SN USDN001082. Gradient: 0-1.2 min: 10% CH₃CN in(water+0.1% HCO2H), 1.2-4.7 min: increasing of CH3CN from 10% to 95%,4.7-5.7 min: 95% of CH3CN, 5.7-59 min: decreasing of CH3CN from 95% to10%. Program end at 6 min. Flow: 30 ml/min) yielded the title compoundas a light green solid (11 mg, 9%), MS (ISP): m/e=519.1 (M−H).

Example 443-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide

A solution of3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(N-hydroxycarbamimidoyl)-phenyl]-benzamide(145 mg, 0.30 mmol) in dimethylformamide (2.0 ml) was treated withpyridine (26 mg, 1.08 equiv.) and cooled to 0° C. Chloroformic acid2-ethylhexyl ester (59 mg, 0.30 mmol, 1 equiv.) in DMF (0.1 ml) wasadded dropwise. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, thendiluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combinedorganic phases were dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. Theresidue was suspended in xylene and the mixture was stirred at 100° C.for 1 h and then at 145° C. for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature,the precipitated solid was filtered, washing with xylene, and driedunder high vacuum to yield the title compound (115 mg, 75%) as a whitesolid, MS (ISP): m/e=499.0 (M−H).

Example 45

Film coated tablets containing the following ingredients can bemanufactured in a conventional manner:

Ingredients Per tablet Kernel: Compound of formula (I) 10.0 mg 200.0 mgMicrocrystalline cellulose 23.5 mg 43.5 mg Lactose hydrous 60.0 mg 70.0mg Povidone K30 12.5 mg 15.0 mg Sodium starch glycolate 12.5 mg 17.0 mgMagnesium stearate 1.5 mg 4.5 mg (Kernel Weight) 120.0 mg 350.0 mg FilmCoat: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose 3.5 mg 7.0 mg Polyethylene glycol6000 0.8 mg 1.6 mg Talc 1.3 mg 2.6 mg Iron oxide (yellow) 0.8 mg 1.6 mgTitan dioxide 0.8 mg 1.6 mg

The active ingredient is sieved and mixed with microcristallinecellulose and the mixture is granulated with a solution ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone in water. The granulate is mixed with sodium starchglycolate and magesiumstearate and compressed to yield kernels of 120 or350 mg respectively. The kernels are lacquered with an aqueoussolution/suspension of the above mentioned film coat.

Example 46

Capsules containing the following ingredients can be manufactured in aconventional manner:

Ingredients Per capsule Compound of formula (I) 25.0 mg Lactose 150.0 mgMaize starch 20.0 mg Talc 5.0 mg

The components are sieved and mixed and filled into capsules of size 2.

Example 47

Injection solutions can have the following composition:

Compound of formula (I) 3.0 mg Polyethylene Glycol 400 150.0 mg AceticAcid q.s. ad pH 5.0 Water for injection solutions ad 1.0 ml

The active ingredient is dissolved in a mixture of Polyethylene Glycol400 and water for injection (part). The pH is adjusted to 5.0 by AceticAcid. The volume is adjusted to 1.0 ml by addition of the residualamount of water. The solution is filtered, filled into vials using anappropriate overage and sterilized.

Example 48

Soft gelatin capsules containing the following ingredients can bemanufactured in a conventional manner:

Capsule contents Compound of formula (I) 5.0 mg Yellow wax 8.0 mgHydrogenated Soya bean oil 8.0 mg Partially hydrogenated plant oils 34.0mg Soya bean oil 110.0 mg Weight of capsule contents 165.0 mg Gelatincapsule Gelatin 75.0 mg Glycerol 85% 32.0 mg Karion 83 8.0 mg (drymatter) Titanium dioxide 0.4 mg Iron oxide yellow 1.1 mg

The active ingredient is dissolved in a warm melting of the otheringredients and the mixture is filled into soft gelatin capsules ofappropriate size. The filled soft gelatin capsules are treated accordingto the usual procedures.

Example 49

Sachets containing the following ingredients can be manufactured in aconventional manner:

Compound of formula (I) 50.0 mg Lactose, fine powder 1015.0 mgMicrocrystalline cellulose (AVICEL PH 102) 1400.0 mg Sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose 14.0 mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone K 30 10.0 mgMagnesiumstearate 10.0 mg Flavoring additives 1.0 mg

The active ingredient is mixed with lactose, microcrystalline celluloseand sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and granulated with a mixture ofpolyvinylpyrrolidone in water. The granulate is mixed withmagnesiumstearate and the flavouring additives and filled into sachets.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments of the invention described above, as variationsof the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein A is —C(O)OR¹ or selected from the group consisting oftetrazol-5-yl, 5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl,2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl and5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl; X is —N(R⁵)C(O)— or—C(O)N(R⁵)—; V is N or C(R⁶); Y² is N or C(R⁷); Y³ is N or C(H); Y⁴ is Nor C(R⁸); Z¹ is N or C(R⁹); R¹ is hydrogen or lower-alkyl; R² ishydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl,lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl),N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, wherein lower-alkyl isoptionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl),N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy; R³ is hydrogen, lower-alkyl orlower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl; R⁴ is aryl or heteroaryl, which aryl orheteroaryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of halogen, cyano,lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy,lower-alkyl-C(O), lower-alkyl-C(O)—NH, lower-alkyl-C(O)—N(lower-alkyl),lower-alkyl-S(O)₂, NH₂—S(O)₂, N(H,lower-alkyl)-S(O)₂ orN(lower-alkyl)₂—S(O)₂, NH₂—C(O), N(H,lower-alkyl)-C(O),N(lower-alkyl)₂—C(O), lower-alkoxy-C(O) or heteroaryl which isoptionally substituted with lower-alkyl, halogen, thio-lower-alkoxy, orfluoro-lower-alkyl, wherein lower-alkyl is optionally substituted withhydroxy, NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl) or N(lower-alkyl)₂; R⁵ is hydrogen,lower-alkyl or lower-alkoxy-lower-alkyl; R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ independentlyfrom each other are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl, fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy,fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, orlower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, wherein lower-alkyl is optionally substituted withhydroxy, halogen, NH₂, N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ andlower-alkoxy; R⁹ is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, fluoro-lower-alkoxy; NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂, or lower-alkyl-C(O)—O—, whereinlower-alkyl is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, NH₂,N(H,lower-alkyl), N(lower-alkyl)₂ or lower-alkoxy; and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts and esters thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim1, wherein A is —C(O)OR¹ and R¹ is as defined in claim
 1. 3. Thecompound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen.
 4. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein R² is hydrogen, halogen or lower-alkoxy.5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is hydrogen.
 6. Thecompound according to claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 7. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein R⁴ is phenyl which is optionallysubstituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, fluoro-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy andfluoro-lower-alkoxy, or R⁴ is thiophenyl which is substituted with aheteroaryl selected from the group consisting of isoxazolyl, pyrimidinyland pyrazolyl, which heteroaryl is optionally substituted with 1 to 2substituents selected from the group consisting of lower-alkyl,fluoro-lower-alkyl and thio-lower-alkoxy, or R⁴ is naphthalinyl.
 8. Thecompound according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ is phenyl which is substitutedwith 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of halogen and lower-alkoxy.
 9. The compound according toclaim 1, wherein R⁴ is 3-chloro-phenyl, 3,4-dichloro-phenyl,3,5-dichloro-phenyl or 5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl.
 10. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein X is —C(O)N(R⁵)— and R⁵ is as defined inclaim
 1. 11. The compound according to claim 10, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen.12. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Y¹ is C(R⁶) and R⁶ is asdefined in claim
 1. 13. The compound according to claim 12, wherein R⁶is hydrogen, halogen or lower-alkoxy.
 14. The compound according toclaim 13, wherein R⁶ is hydrogen, chlorine or methoxy.
 15. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein Y² is C(R⁷) and R⁷ is as defined inclaim
 1. 16. The compound according to claim 15, wherein R⁷ is hydrogenor lower-alkoxy.
 17. The compound according to claim 16, wherein R⁷ ishydrogen or methoxy.
 18. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Y³is C(H).
 19. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Y⁴ is C(R⁸) andR⁸ is as defined in claim
 1. 20. The compound according to claim 19,wherein R⁸ is hydrogen.
 21. The compound according to claim 1, whereinZ¹ is N or C(R⁹) and R⁹ is hydrogen, halogen or lower-alkoxy.
 22. Thecompound according to claim 21, wherein Z¹ is C(R⁹) and R⁹ is hydrogen.23. The compound according to claim 1, selected from the groupconsisting of 4-(3-Benzenesulfonylamino-benzoylamino)-benzoic acid,4-[3-(4-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(Naphthalene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(2-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3-Methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(2-Fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3-Trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, 4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3-Difluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-[5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-{3-[5-(2-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonylamino]-benzoylamino}-benzoicacid,2-Methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-methoxy-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,4-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, 4-[4-Chloro-3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-fluoro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3,4-Dimethoxy-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, 4-[3-(benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(2,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-2-fluoro-benzoicacid, and5-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-pyridine-2-carboxylicacid, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.
 24. Thecompound according to claim 1, selected from the group consisting of4-[3-(3,4-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid,4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3-chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(3,5-dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[4-Chloro-3-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid,4-[3-(3,5-Dichloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, and4-[3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzoylamino]-benzoicacid, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.
 25. Thecompound according to claim 1, selected from the group consisting of3-(3-Chloro-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-[4-(tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-[1,2,3,5]oxathiadiazol-4-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,3-(5-Chloro-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonylamino)-N-[4-(5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide,and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.
 26. A processfor the manufacture of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1,comprising the steps of: a) reacting a compound of formula (II)

with a compound LG-S(O)₂—R⁴, wherein R², R³, R⁴, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴and Z¹ are as defined in any of claims 1-25 and LG is a leaving group,or b) reacting a compound of formula (III)

with a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as defined inany of claims 1-25, or c) reacting a compound of formula (V)

with a compound of formula (VI)

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, X, Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Z¹ are as defined inclaim
 1. 27. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound according to claim 1, and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant.
 28. A method forthe therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of diseases which aremodulated by L-CPT1 inhibitors, comprising the step of administering atherapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 to ahuman being or animal in need thereof.
 29. The method according to claim28, wherein said disease is hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance disorders,diabetes and associated pathologies, non insulin dependent diabetesmellitus, obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance syndrome, metabolicsyndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure or renal failure.